Provincial board member, 2 others nabbed in buy-bust

Anti-narcotics agents apprehended three persons, including a provincial board member, during a buy bust operation in Cagayan de Oro City, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said on Thursday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac, Jr. said operatives collared Geodeguil Ursal, , 32, an incumbent 1st District Provincial Board Member, of Doña Graciana Street, Gingoog, Misamis Oriental, during a sting operation last Jan. 8.

Ursal was nabbed after he sold a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, to an undercover PDEA agent in Zone 2, Agusan, Cagayan De Oro City.

 Authorities also seized from Ursal three more plastic sachets containing shabu weighing more or less five grams, various drug paraphernalia and a red Toyota Vios (KGH-521).

"Ursal is ranked No. 3 in the list of drug personalities of Northern Mindanao and a high-value target of PDEA. PDEA was hot on his trail for his notoriety in illegal drug activities in Region 10, particularly in the province of Misamis Oriental," Cacdac said.

 Ursal's two other companions--Glenn Antigua, 29, a target-listed drug personality; and Ernesto Fernandez, 46; both natives of Misamis Oriental--were also arrested during the operation.